In Pontiac, the district spends about $16,400 per pupil, according to the state. In recent years, the district has lost 45 percent of its students — but the local school board and union negotiated a contract that caused the average teachers’ salary to jump 35 percent, from $56,781 in 2007-08 to $76,449 in 2010-11. … more

When the Ottawa County Patriots tried to register as a non-profit a few years ago, the IRS dragged its feet for over a year. The group joins the ranks of those across the nation which were singled out for additional scrutiny because of their politics, says the group’s leader. … more